Gearing up for Newbies

[Lesley]

My advice on gearing up for newbies:

Clothing: Go to the the fancy outdoor shops. Try on loads of stuff in all kinds of brands to get your and partners accurate sizes. Then with the help of spadout, rei and campmor hit the sales. Stick to 60% off or greater. I can get high end stores clearance items for what I pay at wally world. Plus it's better quality and should last longer. If you are small enough, kids XL might do the trick and is less than the adult version. Ladies, if you are new at this you're gonna need all the girl oriented stuff; guy stuff will literally rub you the wrong way and you'll never hike again. Good news is girl gear isn't any more $ than guys gear nowadays.

Gear: Buy at seasonal turns and years end. Ex: now is a great time for summer stuff as everyone wants to sell fall and winter product.  If you are considering doing something different do not buy new gear until you are sure you wither want to stick to what you are doing vs. what you want to do. Ex: Not two weeks after Matt and I got our Hubba Hubba he wanted to take up hammocking. He still wants to. Ladies: ditto on gear.

[Nalgene Ninja]

I would add on the subject of clothing is that most discount store workout wear is good for hiking (esp Target's C9 line). Also check the clearance racks of running and bike stores for markdown high-end stuff (ie I've gotten excellent synthetic tops at road race expos and clearance racks of Fleet Feet). Stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx are good for athletic wear also.

[PastorLarryT]

I will echo your sentiments, flemdawg.  My brother clued me in on some great tee shirts for summer hiking.  The shirts are made from 100% recycled polyester.  They are quite comfortable and quick drying.  They accomplished all of this while being $6.00!  (I noticed that W-M had gone up on them last week to $7.95.)

You have to be careful at the discount stores, but sometimes you can score a winner.

[Rob]

A.O. on hwy 31 gets all of their stores clearance items/ out of season stuff sent to this one location. You can snag some pretty good deals there too. most clearance stuff is 50% off. Most all of it is clothing items seldom gear. Tons of womens stuff. They are not at the old location by Cahaba cycles anymore, they moved down the street. I haven't been there lately so hope this info is accurate.

[Cuffs]

My advice on gearing up for newbies:

Clothing: Go to the the fancy outdoor shops. Try on loads of stuff in all kinds of brands to get your and partners accurate sizes. Then with the help of spadout, rei and campmor hit the sales. Stick to 60% off or greater. I can get high end stores clearance items for what I pay at wally world. Plus it's better quality and should last longer. If you are small enough, kids XL might do the trick and is less than the adult version. Ladies, if you are new at this you're gonna need all the girl oriented stuff; guy stuff will literally rub you the wrong way and you'll never hike again. Good news is girl gear isn't any more $ than guys gear nowadays.

Gear: Buy at seasonal turns and years end. Ex: now is a great time for summer stuff as everyone wants to sell fall and winter product.  If you are considering doing something different do not buy new gear until you are sure you wither want to stick to what you are doing vs. what you want to do. Ex: Not two weeks after Matt and I got our Hubba Hubba he wanted to take up hammocking. He still wants to. Ladies: ditto on gear.

you would go into a local store, take up a sales persons time, energy, and wasted time by not getting a sale (most of them are on commission) and then go buy your stuff elsewhere?  Thats why the big box stores are pushing out the local,  personal service that smaller stores offer.  The small, fancy stores have sales too, I would urge you to use them.  Besides, it keeps your money local where it will benefit you the most. 

[Lesley]

I waste no one's time. If I'm speaking with an employee it's because I plan to purchase from them in the near future. Sales people give me panic attacks. I do buy my basic gear local; pack, stove, etc... I'm able to see the details of the product I'm going home with to make sure there are no busted seams or misaligning screws or what have you.  80% of my clothes (all of them, not just activity oriented) have all come from local outdoor stores sales. But I'm familiar enough with my favorite brands and sizing that I can get more range by using online retailers. I also visit all the stores: AO, Mountain High, Rogers, and Werners. I have loyalty points everywhere, but I'm not going to let a great online sale slip by or let area stats drive what is available for me to wear.

[Cuffs]

That I understand, thank you.  It was your opening line that got me...  Go to the the fancy outdoor shops. Try on loads of stuff in all kinds of brands to get your and partners accurate sizes. Then with the help of spadout, rei and campmor hit the sales.

Sales are very good indeed.  In fact AO in Homewood has just about all their spring clothes up to 50% off right now.  got some great deals in there earlier this week. 

Im just against finding what you want, trying it out, testing it...  close to home/mom & pop stores, then going online or elsewhere to buy. 

[auwesman]

Also to get cheap gear. If you ever get a chance to head to REI for a "Scratch and Dent sale" it can be worth your while!  I have been able to snag a lot of expensive name brand gear for a fraction of the cost.  My seedhouse 2 SL normally runs for $320.00 new.  I got it for $108.00 because it had a 1" tear in the netting (which took me all of 10 min. to repair).  You have to get there EARLY though to make it worth it!

[bpitt]

I hear there's a store up in northeaster Alabama that sells stuff from the airline companies, i.e., lost luggage, etc. Has anyone ever been there and found outdoor gear? Are there good deals there? We were planning a trip to Huntsville in the future and I was contemplating visiting this store.

[McDowra]

Its called UnClaimed Baggage in Scottsboro Al, they have a little bit of everything.

[Cuffs]

I scored a like-new set of K2 skis at Unclaimed Baggage!  I have not been there in a year... Hmmm, I think a road trip is in order!